Discussion about WM always end up lively. I guess that goes with the territory with being the big guy on the block.

Personally, I have a that sort of like/hate relationship with WM that many boaters do.

I like the fact that they are typically not too far from where the boat is and that, at least around here, they keep a reasonable amount of the basic hardware commodities that I might need on short notice.

I never buy any expensive items there. I don't do the "price match" thing. If I find it less expensive somewhere else, I buy it from somewhere else. On expensive items, shipping and sales tax often cancel out when ordering online. (Besides, why would I be in a hurry to get my new items in, once they arrive, I have to install them, and that's work. ).

But, the one thing that annoys me to no end at WM (and I think this might be a local issue) is OVER-eagerness of the staff. As soon as I walk in, I get one, maybe two or even three people asking me "What can I help you find today?". It's not even a "Hello, welcome to West Marine" type of greeting, which would be nice. It's borderline hostile. It's not letting you know that the staff is there if you need them, it's telling you that you must tell them why you are there and you better do it quick! Also, you can't be in an aisle for more than five minutes without someone approaching you to ask if you need help. I don't get it. If you are the staff, be available if I need you, but if I need you I'll let you know. Again, it's almost hostile.

It's to the point where my wife wont even go with me to WM. It would be clear to any reasonable person that when she does come with, she's just there "holding my purse" so to speak. I'm the reason we're there. Still, if she had a chance to browse in peace, she might actually find something interesting and maybe make a purchase. But as it is, she gets berated by overly helpful staff.

I almost think that there might be a local general manager who believes that a happy customer is a customer who is never left alone. I don't get it.

But, the one thing that annoys me to no end at WM (and I think this might be a local issue) is OVER-eagerness of the staff...

This is one of the things that to me are annoyances -- I kind of grind my teeth when I walk in the store.

Since I've found it to be true in many of the WM's along the eastern seaboard, I kind of think it's gotta be corporate policy or perhaps a policy that's been implemented in an overly enthusiastic manner.

On the good side, at least they pretty much leave me alone once I tell them I'm doing OK by myself. And nobody's tried to push products on me, for which I am also thankful.

This is one of the things that to me are annoyances -- I kind of grind my teeth when I walk in the store.

Since I've found it to be true in many of the WM's along the eastern seaboard, I kind of think it's gotta be corporate policy or perhaps a policy that's been implemented in an overly enthusiastic manner.

On the good side, at least they pretty much leave me alone once I tell them I'm doing OK by myself. And nobody's tried to push products on me, for which I am also thankful.

You guys are obviously over dressed for this store.
If you wore ripped, torn clothing with paint and grease stains on them, if you hadn't shaved or showered in a few days they would ignore you.
Trust me on this.

While in Lowe's a while back, I heard a female associate ask a customer if he needed help. The guy told her he wanted to look at the scroll saws. With a most polite, friendly, and helpful attitude she told him they were "right over here" and led him right to them. He said thanks, he wanted to look for now so the girl went back to what she was doing nearby.

I remember this because in just a minute the guy called her back over, said he wanted to buy this certain saw, and asked what type of blades the saw used. Of course, she didn't know so the guy got all huffy about it. I mentioned to them both that it should say on the box whether it needed pin or straight, some will even accept both. A male associate showed up at that time, didn't know either, and had to read the box carefully to find the info.

Two things struck me about the incident.

1. Even though the girl knew they sold scroll saws and even led the guy right to them, he got pissed because she didn't know the specific details (blade type) of one particular item out of the thousands that Lowe's carries.

2. While the guy was man enough to become huffy and borderline rude to this girl when she didn't know the answer to his question, he was NOT man enough to act that way with the male associate, a rather fit looking fellow, when he didn't know either.

Personally, I think if you had asked at the counter if they sold battery cable, they could have took you to it but to expect them to know the specific details of that particular wire off the top of their head was probably asking too much. Did the labeling on the wire spool specify whether it was tinned? They did look up and give you an answer, after all.

And no, I do not work for WM. I would be lucky to remember every little item that is stocked on the shelves, let alone every detail of each item in the store. Just as the associate at Lowes had probably never used a scroll saw before, the associates that inspired your wrath had probably never wired a boat before.

You guys are obviously over dressed for this store.
If you wore ripped, torn clothing with paint and grease stains on them, if you hadn't shaved or showered in a few days they would ignore you.
Trust me on this.

Oh I trust you on that! When I go into lumber stores trailing sawdust and my beat up tape hooked on my belt, the sales staff never come near me and I have other customers asking me questions. I once helped a nice lady pick out everything she neededd to lay some ceramic tile in her bathroom. She then asked me to explain how to do it! It was tile laying 101 in isle 14!

Sockittoem, SBS. They should have a basic knowledge of their products if they are going to represent themselves as marine specialists. BTW, someone told me today of a marine salvage yard in Houston that requires a subscription or membership. Anyone know of such a place or another boat junk or salvage yard in the Houston area?

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